The Mag
·29 November 2024
The Mag
·29 November 2024
Friday morning has seen Jamie Redknapp declare that ‘Joey Barton is Newcastle’s main man.’
That is quite an exclusive.
When I saw this around 7am this morning, I was thinking this is a bit of a scoop for The Mail and Jamie Redknapp.
Especially considering how things have turned out in recent times for Joey Barton.
A bit of a ‘brave’ move by the Newcastle United owners as well!
Reading on, things became a little clearer…
Jamie Redknapp giving Joey Barton the main credit for Newcastle United’s recent result against Arsenal.
It turns out though that rather than Saturday 2 November 2024, Jamie Redknapp is talking about Saturday 5 February 2011.
Technology is great, when it works.
However, on this occasion, The Mail have managed to publish this Jamie Redknapp/Joey Barton article from over 13 years ago, as though it is a new article this morning!
‘The Mail – Friday 29 November 2024:
By Jamie Redknapp for the Daily Mail
6.54am, 29 November 2024
Talk of the Toon You can’t escape the impact Joey Barton has on Newcastle. It was his tackle on Abou Diaby that galvanised his team and led to the Arsenal player’s red card. It was a fierce tackle, but a fair one.
You must also value the decision by Alan Pardew, who kept on the same XI at half-time and obviously told them: ‘You got us into it, now get us out.’ They did, in spectacular fashion.’
I found it interesting to look back at some of the other stuff Jamie Redknapp was talking about in this February 2011 article that The Mail have brought back to life:
‘Stunning Saha
I spoke with Rio Ferdinand many years ago about then Manchester United striker Louis Saha. Rio said he was ‘unplayable’ on his day and was among the best players he had played with, or against.
David Moyes must wish he sees him at his best more often for Everton. He collects too many injuries, but his four goals on Saturday show he is still class.’
David Moyes was still more than two years away from replacing Fergie at Man U. Whilst Louis Saha was still over 13 years away from saying how he was dreaming of Alexander Isak deserting Newcastle United and moving to Man U.
‘Loan heroes
You can complain about the transfer window, but there are three loan signings who won’t be moaning. Jamie O’Hara and Kyle Walker left Tottenham for regular first-team football and the chance to continue their progress.
It was a good weekend for both, with Walker scoring for Villa and being called up by England and O’Hara keeping the ball for Wolves in their brilliant win.’
Jamie O’Hara was still many years away from talking nonsense on Talksport.
Whilst difficult to think of Kyle Walker as anything but a Man City player. He was on loan at Villa from Tottenham back in 2011 and turns out he didn’t go to Man City until 2017.
‘Tell me why
Can anyone tell me why we’re having midweek international friendlies at such a critical stage of the season? Who cares that England are playing in Denmark, what can we learn from that? What a waste of time.’
Interesting to hear this perspective from 13 years ago, that England match against Denmark played in midweek (9 February 2011) and the normal Premier League programmes of matches the weekend before and after, happening as normal.
Compare it to how now Premier League football totally stops for two weeks in September, again in October, again in November, then March as well.
You can see the confidence oozing from Liverpool. Four wins in a row and four clean sheets, but they are playing with confidence and are smiling again.
I don’t see why the owners should delay offering Kenny Dalglish a permanent deal. It’s not as if he is an ordinary caretaker. The only gamble here is theirs if they fail to get him to stay.’
Kenny Dalglish had been given the caretaker role after the Liverpool fans forced Roy Hodgson out after only months in charge, never giving Hodgson a chance. Dalglish appointed in January 2011 and Liverpool bought Andy Carroll from Newcastle at the end of that month (as well as Suarez, as Torres went to Chelsea).
Dalglish was made permanent in May 2011 but then sacked by Liverpool in May 2012, despite winning the League Cup, getting to the FA Cup final and finishing eighth in the Premier League.
***I look forward to The Mail messing up again with their technology and repeating articles from past years, interesting to see what was said back in 2011 by Jamie Redknapp and how things turned out in reality.